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Dear Sir,
It is strategically better to participate in both cases, even if your wife is not interested in reconciliation. In the divorce case, you can file your counter (written statement) and take a clear stand—either opposing the divorce or consenting with conditions. Not filing a counter may lead to an ex-parte decree of divorce, which might not reflect your position or protect your rights fully.

Dear Madam,

Mutual divorce is a smooth process if both parties cooperate, but custody and child support are always subject to the child’s best interests, not just mutual agreement. You should have a carefully drafted settlement agreement covering custody, visitation, and financial responsibilities to avoid future disputes. Consulting a family lawyer in Pune to structure this agreement properly would be highly advisable.

Dear Sir,

Your lawyer’s suggestion to reopen the maintenance case is practical because that is where your immediate financial liability arises. However, focusing only on maintenance and ignoring the divorce case is not ideal. If you do not appear or file a counter in the divorce case, the court may eventually pass an ex parte divorce decree, which will go against you without your version being recorded.

Dear Client,

In your situation, the court treated the divorce and maintenance as two independent proceedings, which is why they are at different stages. Since you stopped appearing after mediation and did not file a written statement in the divorce case, the court proceeded ex parte and granted divorce based solely on your wife’s submissions, as there was no contest from your side.

However, the maintenance case involves determining financial support for the wife and children, which requires

Dear Client,

Maintenance and settlement will be decided based on your husband’s actual earning capacity and your needs. His present income of around Rs 25 lakh is relevant, and the court will also consider that you have two dependent children. A future plan to reduce salary will not automatically reduce his liability unless he proves genuine medical incapacity. Even then, the court looks at earning capacity, not just declared income.

You can proceed with interim maintenance and press for ear

Dear Client,

Yes, this can definitely work in your favour. If your husband is a petitioner in a Testamentary Petition, it indicates that he is either claiming rights over a will or estate, which directly reflects his financial capacity or expected assets this becomes relevant in your divorce and maintenance proceedings.

His failure to attend court, repeated adjournments, non-payment of maintenance, and non-disclosure of income can be raised as deliberate avoidance, and you can bring the Test

Dear client,

The plan must be carefully matched with both legal duties and long-term financial sustainability while handling divorce and maintenance conflicts under the Indian Divorce Act, particularly in cases involving protracted separation and dependent children.

In your case, the court will primarily consider your actual income, liabilities, way of living, medical condition, and the requirements of your wife and two children. You are a mariner who makes about ₹22 lakhs a year without any

Dear Client,

You have a legal right to recover your personal belongings including clothes and streedhan such as jewellery given to you, and your in laws cannot withhold them or impose conditions like returning a chain to release your items. Such acts amount to unlawful retention and can be challenged.

You should send a written notice demanding return of all your belongings and also consider filing a complaint under the Domestic Violence Act seeking return of streedhan, maintenance, and compens

Dear Sir,
If you are not willing to consent to a divorce, your wife cannot unilaterally obtain a mutual divorce under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. In such a situation, she would have to file a contested divorce petition before the Family Court on legally recognized grounds such as cruelty, desertion, or others, and she must prove those grounds with evidence. Simply leaving the matrimonial home and demanding divorce is not sufficient by itself to automatically dissolve the marriage. You

Dear Madam,

First, don’t worry too much about not having evidence right now.

In cases under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955:

Evidence can be created and collected during the case
Courts accept:
Your oral testimony (your statement on oath)
Witnesses (your brother, neighbours, relatives)
Call records / messages (even later obtained)

Even mental harassment, defamation, and interference with family can amount to cruelty, which is a valid ground for divorce.

Do this step-by-step:

Give written co